Edmonton’s Telus World of Science in Canada has unveiled proposals for a CA$40m (US$28.6m, €25.3m, £19.8m) redevelopment to transform the ageing facility.
The ice-inspired concepts by Dialog Design will turn the facility itself into a science lesson. Dialog’s design pools precipitation from the roof, using it to feed wildlife around the building, demonstrating how the freeze-thaw cycle works. In the colder months, water will come from the roof to form icicles, creating natural architecture through use of the elements.
The redevelopment plan, called the Aurora Project, will include new displays and an expansion to 150,000sq ft (14,000sq m), giving more space for the 600,000 visitors the science centre receives annually. The expansion will include a new 10,000sq ft (9292sq m) gallery based on Canada’s Arctic and polar regions, while a new health-science gallery will highlight the health science, wellness and medical research being carried out in Edmonton. Additionally, the lobby will gain a retail store and will double in size, with an exterior garden space and entrance way leading to it.
The city of Edmonton has pledged CA$12m (US$8.6m, €7.6m, £6m) towards the redevelopment, with the science centre seeking a further CA$12m from both the federal and provincial governments. World of Science is also fundraising for a further CA$8m (US$5.7m, €5m, £4m), which will be used as a buffer to cover the CA$40m plan.
Work on the development will start in April, with the first phase to be completed by 2017. If development stays on track, work will be completed by 2018.
